09/08/2025
"I hesitated for a long time,” says Andreas Bittner (34) openly. “I used hearing aids almost my entire life - but the stress of noisy environments and the limitations in everyday life and leisure were wearing me down.”
As he began a part-time degree in media informatics, communication became increasingly important - lots of interaction, lots of online work. That marked a turning point. A conversation with an old school friend - who also wears a CI - helped him make the decision. So did an anonymous survey: “What’s more important - good hearing or discreet appearance?” The answer was clear: hearing.
The first CI was a gamechanger. So much so that he immediately booked the appointment for the second one.
Today, Andreas wears bilateral cochlear implants from Advanced Bionics - and wouldn’t choose anything else: “The technology won me over. Compatible with 3-Tesla MRIs, wireless adjustments, extended sound range up to 10,500 Hz (compared to other manufacturers that only go up to 8,000 Hz), a wide range of settings, Bluetooth and FM technology without an adapter - it was exactly what I needed.”
Since then, everything has changed:
✅ Clearer conversations - even in busy train stations
✅ Live concerts - including understanding lyrics from unfamiliar bands
✅ Meeting new people again - enjoying communication
✅ Finally hearing small sounds again - like the ticking of a clock or voice messages playing back
“Since I’ve had my CIs, I’ve become more open - and I’ve noticed others are more open toward me, too. Being able to explain how a CI works to others feels great.”
His conclusion:
“With a CI, there’s only something to gain.
If hearing aids no longer help, you have nothing to lose - but so much to win.”
Find more stories from people with : https://www.advancedbionics.com
Note: The views expressed in this post are those of the author. Each person's situation is unique so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your hearing care provider about whether a cochlear implant is right for you.
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